APEC 04 SOM in Ningbo discues free trade and grow

Tan Jian (rear, R), head of Chinas APEC Senior Official Meeting, answers journalists questions during the media briefing of the APEC 2014 First Senior Officials Meeting (SOM1) in Ningbo, east Chinas Zhejiang Province, Feb. 28, 2014. The meeting, running from Thursday to Friday, is the first APEC event in China since it assumed the role of host of APEC 2014. (Xinhua/Ju Huanzong)

Senior officials of the Asia- Pacific Economic Cooperation, or APEC, have wrapped up their first meeting of the year in Ningbo in East China. A series of work plans was adopted after discussion of initiatives on achieving a Free Trade Area of the Asia-Pacific, exploring new paths to growth and boosting connectivity.

Two days of extensive discussions.

Senior officials addressed the initiatives raised by 21 APEC member economies. China alone raised 26.

A special working group was formed to discuss a roadmap to a Free Trade Area. There's concern about fragmentation due to existing multiple trade areas.

Tan Jian, Chinese senior APEC official, said, As for how to achieve the Free Trade Area of the Asia-Pacific, we've established a Friends of the Chair to discuss it, hoping to give concrete recommendations before economic leaders meet. But setting up a system in the first Senior Officials' meeting is a great achievement."

Delegates also discussed ways to help the region achieve innovative, sustainable growth.

"Maybe some advanced economies put more emphasis on protection of Intellectual Property Rights, while developing economies expect more on technical cooperation and exchanges. But we were hoping to reach a balance, instead of confrontation. We hope to boost more international cooperation that cares each sides' concerns, Tan said.

A blue print was also laid out to advance regional connectivity, through expanding infrastructure, harmonizing institutional systems and freeing up the movement of people.

LINK:	http://en.nbwh.gov.cn/art/2014/3/3/art_1325_50672.html...
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